: a large gregarious deer (Cervus elaphus) of North America, Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa with the male having large antlers and many tines and that often form large herds
Note: The North American elk is sometimes considered to constitute a separate species (C. canadensis).
called alsored deer, wapiti
c
: any of various large Asian deer
2
: soft tanned rugged leather
3
usually Elk plural Elks[Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks]: a member of a major benevolent and fraternal order
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThere are 19 miles of creeks plus ponds filled with Redband trout, and meadows that attract elk and deer.oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2022 That’s also 8,000 more elk than were counted in 1995, the year wolves were reintroduced to Idaho. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 10 May 2021 Wolves’ diet is about 80 percent elk, Oakleaf said, and about 10 percent cattle. Matt Mcclain, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Roadside pops of color, courtesy of lupine, penstemon, clover, thistle and blooming shrubs, brighten meadows while tiny waterholes harbor mini wetland environs rife with water buttercups, frogs and elk. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2022 So far, 26 Utah deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease this year — along with 157 mule deer and three elk. Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 June 2022 Fewer than 30 elk remained in 1895, and thanks to later laws the population has climbed back to around 5,700 individuals today. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2022 Bristlecones provide shade to elk and bighorn sheep, and shelter chipmunks and jack rabbits from predators and fierce weather. Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, 14 July 2022 And wolves in some places have reduced the size of elk and deer herds, their natural prey.NBC News, 10 Feb. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, probably from Old English eolh; akin to Old High German elaho elk, Greek elaphos deer
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of elk was before the 12th century